Using API to add people to Family Group Tree

MarlenePitman

I use a 3rd party product (RootsFInder) that has a nice interface to copy details from my own tree (outside FamilySearch) into Family Search, and also to compare the details I have recorded in my non-FamilySearch tree with the Family Search details.

I can successfully link people in my RootsFinder tree with living people in the Family Group Tree, compare their details, and copy information back and forth.

The thing I can't do is to create a new living person in Family Search in a Family Group Tree. They are added into my private FamilySearch tree. Yes, I could copy them to the private tree, then to the Family Group Tree, and possibly then delete from the private tree, but then I might as well add the details manually.

I am part of a large family history group and looking at sharing a fairly large tree for collaborative maintenance, using information previously provided for publication. Having the ability to use the API to copy directly into a Family Group Tree would be extremely useful, and reduce risk of error.

Will Family Search be supporting this option in the API? And is there a timeline to do so? I expect Dallan Quass, who supports RootsFinder, will be asking this question as well, but wanted to put it out here in case of interest to others.

AnneLoForteWillson

Thank you for your interest in Family Group Trees. Currently there are no plans to make it useable with third-party programs.

MarlenePitman

Thanks for the response but rather disappointing as this would be extremely useful for transfer of large existing trees of living people to be shared with close family.

AnneLoForteWillson

While that sounds exciting, remember that the point of these Family Group Trees is to share information with living family members. It isn't to build a tree with all of the living family members, even if it is only shared with a few close family members. Investigate the Together by FamilySearch tool and the new memories tool to understand how they work with the Family Group Trees and also read Todd Powell's comment about the purpose of Family Group Trees. Hope these thoughts help a little with understanding the Family Group Trees.